Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Jewish Parenting Centers and Nursery Schools
Adopted by the CCAR at the 96th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
1985
Whereas
the Joint UAHC-CCAR Commission on Jewish Education, through its National Curriculum
Project, has provided learners with a lifelong and systematic strategy for fulfilling
the goals of Reform Jewish education, and
Whereas
the infant and toddler stages in growth and development, culminating in the early
childhood years (21/2-5) provide an unparalleled setting for an individual’s acquisition of identity development
skills, and
Whereas
the involvement of parents in Jewish education establishes the process of Jewish
life activities as an extension of family nurturance and valuing, and
Whereas
the UAHC Department of Education offers consultation, orientation, and program development
models related to the establishment of Jewish Parenting Centers for infants and toddlers,
as well as a published set of Guidelines
for pre-school teachers and parents, and
Whereas
the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods has nurtured and supported early childhood
programs and is the co-sponsor of PATT (Parents are Teachers Too) for parents of
pre-school children, and
Whereas
experience has shown that Jewish Parenting Centers and Nursery Schools enhance family
synagogue affiliation and Jewish identification,
Be it therefore resolved
that we call upon all UAHC congregations to promote Jewish educational and experiential
programs for adults preparing for parenthood, new parents, and children from infancy
to age five; and we call upon all member congregations to establish Jewish Parenting Centers and Reform Jewish Nursery Schools in conjunction with the National Curriculum
Project.